Container



Feb. 18, 1941. T E, slKEs 2,232,346

CONTAINER Filed May 12, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet l THOMAS E. SI/f E S Feb. 18, 1941. VT. 'SIKES 2,232,346

CONTAINER Filed May 12, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 gmc/MM THOMAS E. S//ff's Feb. 18, 1941. T' E, SIKES 2,232,346

CONTAINER Filed May l2, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Feb. 18, 1941. v T E, S|KES 2,232,346

CONTAINER Filed May 12, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Feb. 18, 1941. T. E. sxKEs CONTAINER Filed May 12, 1938 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 one glu/vwo@ THOMAS E. s/KES Patented Feb. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to containers, `and has for one of its objects the production of a simple and efcient folding container which may be conveniently folded to occupy a minimum amount of space and which, when set up, will provide a sturdy, well braced and economical container for shipping tobacco and other products. f

A further object of this invention is the 'production -o-f a folding container having a specially constructed hinge connection for the walls or panels thereof -to facilitate the folding of the commodate a minimum amount of space in storage, or when the container is being shipped empty.

Another object of this invention is the production of a folding container having eicient means for locking and bracing the panels or walls in set-up relation to prevent `the walls. or panels from collapsing while the container is being used for shipment of tobacco, other product-s, andarticles constituting the contents thereof.y

Other objects and advantages of this invention will appear throughout .the following specification and claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is an end elevational view of the cont'ainer;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-\2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is ya horizontal sectional view taken y on line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a bottom plan View of .the container;

Figure 6 is .a top plan View of the container in a folded position;

Figure 'I is an end elevational View of the con- ;tainer in a folded position;

Figure 8 is a horizontal sectional view of the container in a folded position looking toward the top of the container;

Figure 9 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view looking toward the bottom of` the container;

Figure .10 is a vertical sectional view taken on line lll-#l0 of Figure 6;

Figure 11 is an enlarged sectional View taken on line lll-AH of Figure 9;"

Figure 12 is a bottom plan tainer in a folded position;

Figure 13 is a horizontal sectional view taken on line |3-l3 of Figure 12;

Figure 14 is a sectional on line Ill-'14 ofFi-gure 2;

view of the conperspective View taken 'Figure 1'5 is a sectional perspective on line IIS-I5 of Figure 2;5

Figure 16 is a sectional perspective view of a portion of one ofthe side walls of the container,

showing one of the locking tongues, which tongues 5 are adapted to engage the bottom when the container is in a set-up position;

. Figure 17 is an inverted sectional perspective View of a portion of the bottom of .the container showing one of the sockets which is adapted to be 10 `engaged by the tongues carried by Ithe walls of the container;

Figure 18 is view taken a front elevational View of the h-asp lock used with the present conftainer;

lFigure 19 is a' vertical sectional view taken on l5 line |9-l9 of Figure 18;

Figure 20 is a vertical sectional view showing a modified form of lid or cover locking means;

'Figure 2l is -a horizontal sectional view taken on line 2JI-l2il of Figure 20;

Figure 22 is a top plan view of a further modified form of the container, the cover or lid being shown in an open position;

Figure 23 is a top plan View of the container shown in Figure 22 in a folded position;

Figure 24 is .a vertical sec-tional View taken on line '2A-24 of Figure 23 ;v

Figure 25 is a perspective View of a further 'modified form of the container of the open-end *1y-pei Figure 26 is an enlarged vertical sectional view taken online 26-42'5 of Figure 25;

Figure 27 is an end elevational View of a still further modif-led form of the container;

Figure 28 is a side elevational View of the form 35 of the container shown in Figure 27;

Figure 29 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 29-129 of Figure 28;

Figure 30 is an irregular sectional perspective view taken on line 30-30 of Figure 28;

Figure 31 is a top plan View of another modined form of container showing a loi-sected botto-m, the lid being shown partly broken away;

`Figure 32 is a sectional View taken on line 32-32 of Figure 3l;y

Figure 33 is a sectional View taken on line 33-33 of Figure 32;@l c

Figure 34 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view thro-ugh a portion of the container showing a modified type of botto-rn securing` 50 means;5

Figure 35 is a vertical line 3:5-35 of Figure 34; Y

Figure 36 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified type of hinge structure ,for connectsectional View taken on ing the top to one tainer;

Figure 37 is a transverse sectional View taken online 3'1-31 of Figure 36;

Figure 38 is a fragmentary top plan view of a modified type of container having each side wall thereof connected to the end Walls by means of alternate straight and olf-set hinges.

By referring to the drawings, it will be seen that A designates the container, which comprises a pair ,of side walls I and sectional end walls 2. Each end wall 2 comprises sections 2a and 2b, which are vertically hinged together to fold inwardly of the container A by means of a The sections 2a and 2b hingedly secured to the of the side walls of the constructed as to hingedly and permit the end Walls 2 to be freely folded inwardlyof the container A, as shown in Figure 6, when the container is in a folded or knockdown position.

Each inset hinge 4 comprisesa section'. 4a which is substantially U-shaped in cross-section, fitting over the ends of the walls I, as shown in Figure 4, and having aright-angularly and inwardly extending pintle-receiving portion 5 spaced inwardly of the inner faces of the side walls I.' Each sectional end wall 2 carries a hinge section 4ln along its edge adjacent the side walls I for receiving the pintle pins 6 in interiitting relation with the sections 4a, thereby hingedly connecting the walls I and 2 together. These hinges 4 are preferably`formedof thin sheet metal and form a metal reinforcing binding for the side edges of the walls I and 2, which walls maybe made f any suitable or desired material without departing from the spirit of the invention. L

The sections 2a and 2h are provided withv U- shaped metal binding strips 'I along the top and inner edges thereof, as indicated in Figures 1 ande. The sections 2a and 2b are also provided with U-shaped metal binding strips 8 along the ottoni edges thereof and these strips 84 are prorided with ledge portions 9 extending inwardly nf the container A, as shown in Figure 2.: One side wall I is provided with a -U-shaped metal binding strip I0 along its bottom edge and carries a ledge portion II extending inwardly of the container A, as shown in detail in Figure 14. The opposite side wall I carries an inset hinge I2 along its lower edge, to which is secured `ione edge of the bottom I3 in a manner whereby the bottom I3 may be foldedinwardly of tainer A, as shown in Figures 6, Sand flat and snugly against the side wall I to which it is hinged, when the container is in a folded position. When the container A is in aset-up position, the outer edges of the bottom I3 rest upon the ledges 9 and II, which ledges 9 and II Will constitute a support for the bottom I3 as will be obvious by considering Figure 2.,V Locking levers I4 are pivotally secured to the inner face of one of the side wallsl and engage the bottom I3 near the outer edge thereof for firmly holding the bottom I3 in engagement with the ledges 9 and II when the container A isin va set-up position. Stop pins I5 are carried by the side walls I to limit the swinging of the ,levers I4 in one direction.

Each of the ledges 9 and II is provided'i'ntei'- mediate its ends with an upwardly benttongue I6, which upwardly bent tongue I6' is formed by 9, and lie cutting two parallel slits I1 in the ledge and) k ,A respect to the edges of hinges-,

of the end walls 2f are' ends ofthe s ide` Walls, I by means of inset hinges 4, which 'are sof consupport, 'the end Walls '2. inwardly of the inner faces of the side Walls IVv the con- I 6 upwardly or inwardly manner shown in detail in Figures and 16. The bottom I3 is provided with a U-shaped metallic binding strip I8 along its side and outer edges, and this strip is notched, as at I9 at proper locations upon its under face to receive the tongues I 6 of the ledges 9 and II when the bottom I3 is swung to an operative position in engagement with the ledges 9 and I-I, the tongues I6 providing means for tyingv the side and end Walls to the botto-m and preventing the outward bulging of the Walls with the bottom when the box then bending the tongue of the container A in a 1s in a set-up position.

vT-A lid is hingedly secured, as at 2l, to one vofttheside walls I, and is adapted to cover the 'upper' e'nd of the box, and this lid is provided .'W'itna metallic binding 22 around its edges the i outervand end edges of the binding 22 being provided'with overhanging ledge portions, which ledge. portions 23 are adapted to overhang the lid upon theupper edges of the end walls 2 and the forward side Wall I, as shown in Figure 3. I

A hasp 24 is carried by the lid l20 and engages a keeper 25 carried by one of the side walls I, the keeper 25 carrying a ring 26 which may be extended through the opening 21 formed in the hasp for opening the hasp, the ring 26 normally holding the hasp against accidental displacement from thekeeper when in the position shown in Figures 18 and 1 9.

By considering Figures 2, 3, 4 and 5, the manner inwhich the box is held in a set-up position will be obvious. When it is desired to fold the box,- the bottom I3 is swung inwardly so as to lie flat against one of the side walls I. The end walls 2 are then folded inwardly, as shown in Figure 6 to t against the bottom I3, as shown in`\'Figure 6, thereby bringing the two side walls I close together, and the lid 20 is then folded back flat againstthe adjacent side wall I as is also shown, in Figure 6. 'I'he locking, levers I4 are also swung at right angles to the position shown in Figure 2 so as to extend in the position shown in dotted lines in Figure 2, and in full lines in Figure 6. By considering Figure 6 it Will be seen^that the box-may be folded to accommodate itself to a minimum amount of space.

kIn Figures 20 and 21, there is shown a modified type of Ilid locking device wherein the numeral 28 designates the folding box of a type similar to that previously described, having a lid 29, the lid being provided with a metallic edge binding 30 substantially U-shaped in cross-section, and having a depending or inwardly extending flange 3|' which is adapted to fit within the open end of the box 28, as shown in Figure 20. The binding 30 is alsoy provided with an o-verhanging ledge portion 32 which is adapted'toY rest upon the upper or outer edge of thebo-x, as shown in Figure 20. A rotating locking device 33 of any suitable type, either of the key typeV or otherwise, iscarried centrally of the lid 29, and this rotating lockingvdevice is provided with'a circular head-plate 34fitting against the under face of the lid 29 and to which are pivotally secured radiating locking rods 35 whichV rods 35 kextend through the ange 3|, as shown in Figures 20 and 21, and are adapted to iit into the sockets 36 and 31 formed in .the frontwall 38 of the box 28, and the end walls 39, as shown in` Figure 1. f

In Figures 22, 23 and' 24,` there is shown astill further modified type of thecontainer consisting of a front wall 40 and arear'wall 4I, whichwalls 75 4D and A! are connected at their` ends to singlepanel end walls 42 through the medium. of inset hinges 43 vsimilar to the hinges described with respect to that form shown in Figures l, 2 and 3. A bottom 44 is hingedly connected, as at 45, by means of an inset hinge to the front wall Q0 and is adapted to swing inwardly of the front wall 4f] when the box is folded in the manner as shown in Figure 23, one of the end walls i2 being adapted to fold over the box 44, and the other end wall 42 being adapted to extend beyond the front wall 40. The container is provided with means for locking the bottom in position when the container is in a set-up position similar to the structure shown in Figures 2 and 15. The locking levers are indicated by the numeral Nia and the retaining tongues are indicated in dotted lines by the numeral its. A lid 4S is hingedly secured to the rear wall lil, as shown in Figures 22, 23 and 24. By considering Figures 23 and 24, the manner in which the box may be folded will be obvious.

In Figures 25 and 26, I have shown a type of box having an open upper or outer end, the box being of a structure similar to that described with respect to Figure 23 in general with the exception that the box is arranged to permit the stacking of one box upon the other. I have indicated in Figures 25 and 26 the structure of one complete box and a fragment of another box upon which the complete box is placed in stacked relation. It will be noted that the numeral 4I indicates one b-ox which is provided along its lower edge with a downwardly extending flange or tongue 48, which tongue 58 is adapted to fit against the inner face Li9 of the wall 50 of the lower box 5l. In this way the stacking of one box upon'the other will be facilitated.

In Figures 27, 28 and 29 and 30, I have shown another modified type of invention wherein the container comprises front and rear walls 52 and 53, and end walls 54. A bottom 55 is provided similar to the bottom I3, and a lid 55 is also provided similar to the lid 25. The end walls 54 may be connected to the front and rear walls 52 and 53 by inset sectional hinges 51, as shown. The front and rear walls 52 and 53 are provided with centrally located vertically extending bracing strips 58 which strips are provided with outwardly pressed reinforcing beads 59.

In Figures 31, 32 and 33, I have shown still another form of the invention wherein a container 65 similar to the container A is shown with the exception that the container is provided with a hinged or bisected bottom 6| so constructed as to allow the hinged sections of the bottom to swing inwardly in the manner as indicated in Figure 32, the bottom, when the box is in a setup position, resting upon the ledge portions 6 2. 'I'he ledge portions 62 are provided with inwardly extending tongues 63 similar to the tongues I6 for fitting in the notches 64 in the edge of the bottom 6I similar to the notches I9 previously described.

It should be understood that the walls may be made of any lsuitable or desired material` and may be made solid, perforated, or even of the wire mesh type, without departing fromy the spirit of the invention, and it is not desired to limit the present invention to any particular type of material which may be used. The important features of the present invention, however, consist in the means which permits of the folding of the container to accommodate itself to a minimum amount of space and which also pro'vides an efficient bracing means for holding the box rigidly in a set-up position to prevent the walls from collapsing, providing at the same time, a light sturdy and inexpensive structure.

By referring to Figures 34 and 35, it will be seen that a slightly diierent type of bottom securing means is provided in the nature of a hinged locking member Illa which is hingedly secured to one of the side walls la, as at |52. The bottom end of the locking member lia is adapted to rest against the bottom li'.a for holding the same in a locked position in substantially the same manner as the locking device I4.

In Figures 36 and 37, I have shown a double hinge 2ia for connecting the lid 20a to one of the side walls lb.

In Figure 38, I have shown a type of box wherein each side wall 65 is provided with an offset hinged 66 at one end, and a straight hinge 61 at the other end for engaging the end walls 68.

Having described the invention, what I claim 1. A folding container comprising side and end walls, the side and end walls being foldabl-e with respect to each other, a bottom pivotally carried by one wall, bindings for the other walls having inwardly extending portions constituting supporting ledges upon whichthe bottom is adapted to rest when the container is in a set-up position, means for engaging the bottom and releasably holding the same in a clamped engagement with the ledges, and tongues cut from said ledges and bent upwardly for engaging the bottom and locking the bottom and walls in anchored relation.

2. A folding container comprising side and end walls, the side and end walls being foldable with respect to each other, a bottom carried by one wall, bindings for the other walls having inwardly extending portions constituting supporting ledges upon which the bottom is adapted to rest when the container is in a set-up position, a binding for the edges of the bottom, the edges of the bottom having pockets formed therein, the binding for the edges resting upon the ledges, the binding for the bottom being formed with openings constituting entrances for the pockets,

and said ledges being cut to form tongues bent upwardly and passing through the openings in the binding and into the pockets for holding the bottom and walls in anchored interlocking relation.

3. A folding container comprising side and end walls', the side and end walls being foldable with respect to each other, a bottom carried by one wall, the other walls having supporting ledges upon which the bottom is adapted to rest when the container is in a set-up position, and said ledges having upstanding tongues, the bottom formed with recesses in its margins and a binding for the bottom formed with openings registering with the recesses and together therewith forming pockets for receiving said tongues whereby said walls and bottom will be held inl interlocked relation when said container is in a set-up position.

THOMAS E. sIKEs. 

